Care providers will have to undergo an annual risk assessment from April 2006, despite the removal of requirements that they be inspected every year.
The proposal comes in a consultation on changes to the regulatory framework for adult social care, launched last week.
It includes the well-trailed plan to give the Commission for Social Care Inspection the liberty to inspect providers as frequently as it wants, above a minimum of once every three years, replacing the current mandatory annual or bi-annual inspections.
However, to assuage fears this would increase risks for users, the CSCI will have to conduct a risk assessment every year based on past inspection information, analysis of complaints, service user ratings and provider self-assessments.
The frequency with which the CSCI inspects a provider will be based on the risk assessment.
The proposals also allow for the CSCI to carry out themed inspections of and random visits to a sample of providers.
Annual assessments of risks proposed
October 20, 2005 in Inspection and regulation
More from Community Care
Related articles:
Job of the week
Featured jobs
Employer Zone
‘Solutions can’t be scripted here – you have to be creative’
Putting a team around the social worker to make a difference to families
How working in residential care enables staff to build one-on-one relationships with young people
‘We will always challenge ourselves to transform our services to improve outcomes for children and families’
‘It’s our job is to observe the child, find their voice and be their advocate’
Employer zone – showcasing a selection of the sector’s top recruiters
Community Care Inform
Latest stories
Arthur and Star cases show need for expert child protection units, finds review
Council at risk of losing control of children’s services as DfE sends in commissioner
Review proposals to ‘axe’ child protection conference chairs a ‘massive concern’, warns BASW
Care review urges national social work pay scales to reward expertise and boost retention
Comments are closed.